Renowned hotel and brand management company Dream Hotel Group, home to its Dream Hotels, Unscripted Hotels, The Chatwal and new By Dream Hotel Group brands, announced plans to open a 155-key hotel as centerpiece of the new Ballpark District mixed-use development in the heart of downtown Wichita, Kansas.
Scheduled to open in 2024, Unscripted Wichita will feature 155 beautifully designed guest rooms and multiple food and beverage offerings, including a signature restaurant on the street level and an impressive rooftop bar and lounge with sweeping views of the downtown skyline and Riverfront Stadium, transforming the section of S. McLean Blvd between Maple and Texas Streets into a communal gathering place for guests and local Wichitans to meet, eat, drink and play.
“The Unscripted Hotels brand is a great fit for the city of Wichita. Driven by local food and beverage, thoughtful design and a culture of friendly service, Unscripted gives travelers what they want in a hotel – an authentic experience that delights the senses and enhances their lifestyle, but at a more accessible price point,” said Dream Hotel Group CEO Jay Stein.
“We found a great partner in EPC Real Estate Group, a company that plays an important role in Wichita’s history and transformation story. We are excited to collaborate with such a talented group who understands and appreciates our brand of hospitality and represents the values we share in contributing to the revitalization of great cities.”
“We are very excited to announce Unscripted as the centerpiece of this landmark redevelopment,” remarked Austin Bradley of EPC Real Estate Group.
“We are eager to build on the existing momentum within Delano and continue to elevate the Riverfront Stadium experience for the entire community. This notion remained at the forefront when selecting the hotel brand and management company, and Unscripted will do just that.”
Led by Kansas-based developer EPC Real Estate Group with architectural design by DLR Group, Unscripted Wichita is poised to become a catalyst for the area and an integral part of Wichita’s downtown redevelopment efforts. When open, the boutique hotel will be the hospitality centerpiece of Wichita’s new Ballpark District, a large, mixed-use development that adds three signature buildings and 120,000 square feet of class A office, retail and restaurant space to Wichita’s West Bank and Delano community. Located adjacent to Riverfront Stadium, the downtown redevelopment efforts also include significant improvements to the west bank of the Arkansas River.
City of Wichita Mayor Dr. Brandon Whipple stated: “This new addition to our riverfront adds a much-needed amenity, that furthers vitality to the popular Delano neighborhood, while advancing our overall downtown redevelopment efforts. Wichita presents the perfect opportunity for growth, and we’re thrilled to see continued investment in our city.”
Home of the Wichita Wind Surge Minor League Baseball team, Riverfront Stadium hosts 150-175 events each year with approximately 500,000 annual visitors. The new office-retail development will open directly onto the ballpark’s concourse to the west, with plans for a pedestrian sky bridge to the east of McLean Blvd connecting to the new Unscripted Wichita hotel.
The largest city in Kansas, Wichita is a vibrant destination that radiates friendliness and ingenuity as the “Air Capital of the World.” Proud of its history as the birthplace to iconic aircraft manufacturing companies Beechcraft, Cessna and Stearman Aircraft, the city remains a major center of the American aircraft industry today with Textron, Learjet, Airbus and Boeing/Spirit AeroSystems continuing to operate in Wichita.
The assets that led to its success – connectivity, innovation and people – are now heralding a new era for the Heart of the Country. With the city undergoing considerable regeneration and gaining momentum on the sporting and cultural events stage, Wichita is quickly becoming one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations and a place where art aficionados, history lovers, self-proclaimed foodies and outdoor adventurers all find a lot to love.
Today’s announcement follows the recent signings of Cas en Bas Beach Resort by Dream Hotel Group in St. Lucia; Dream Frisco, Texas; Dream Miami, Florida; and Dream Louisville, Kentucky, and signals another exciting milestone in the continued growth and evolution of the company and its portfolio of lifestyle brands.
With 15 hotels open today and 25 new locations in various stages of development worldwide, Dream Hotel Group remains one of the fastest growing independent lifestyle hotel companies in the world.
Photo credit: DLR Group
